Notes: Paxton eyes 2nd opinion; White
Daniel Kramer
@DKramer_Mariners left-hander James Paxton will receive further consultation on his left forearm strain on Monday. He has not yet determined if he will undergo Tommy John surgery, manager Scott Servais said on Saturday.
Paxton underwent an MRI at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday and wanted to seek a second opinion.
Big Maple exited his first start on Tuesday since rejoining the Mariners on a one-year deal after just 1 1/3 innings and 24 pitches, expressing pronounced discomfort to the point where he couldn¡¯t throw any more pitches.
Also from the trainer¡¯s room, first baseman Evan White did some light jogging at Target Field ahead of Saturday¡¯s matinee against the Twins and he could be in line to pinch-hit before the club heads to Baltimore for a four-game series beginning on Monday. White, who strained his left quad while trying to beat out a double-play ball on Wednesday, will likely avoid the injured list.
And back in Seattle, center fielder Kyle Lewis has cleared each step in his recovery from a deep bone bruise in his right knee, keeping him in line for a return in the next week or two. The Mariners have missed the 2020 American League Rookie of the Year Award winner's presence in the lineup as their cleanup hitter. Jos¨¦ Marmolejos, who¡¯s been filling in for White at first base, handled that role during the first two games of the series, including hitting a solo homer in Thursday¡¯s 10-2 loss.
Marte moves into MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 100
The rapidly rising name to watch in Seattle¡¯s No. 3-ranked farm system has cracked MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 100 Prospect rankings, as infielder Noelvi Marte, ranked as No. 100, was bumped up on Friday after Indians pitcher Isaiah McKenzie exceeded his rookie limits.
Marte is just 19 years old, but he¡¯s already made a strong impression with Seattle¡¯s big league players and coaches, having joined the club during Summer Camp at T-Mobile Park ahead of the 2020 season and then participating at the alternate training site in Tacoma, Wash. He also took part in the fall instructional league with many of the Mariners¡¯ other blue-chip prospects, such as Julio Rodr¨ªguez, Taylor Trammell and Cal Raleigh.
With the Minor League season still more than three weeks away, Marte is likely headed to one of the lower-level affiliates as he continues to grow into his 6-foot-1, 181-pound body and harnesses his defensive skills to gain more clarity on where he¡¯ll fit long term. He¡¯s at shortstop now, but because of his size and power profile, scouts have suggested third base could be his home down the road.
Mariners receive Emmy nod
The Mariners this weekend received an Emmy Award nomination in sports, a one-time special category, for the documentary ¡°Kyle Lewis: Writing My Own Story,¡± which was produced entirely in-house and first streamed by the club, then later aired on ROOT Sports Northwest and MLB Network.
The production crew for the documentary included executive producers Greg Green and Ben Mertens, producer/director Tim Walsh, associate producers Eric Vaugh and Sam Findlay and editor Dan Oleskowicz.
The Emmy recognition follows the Golden Matrix Award that the Mariners received in 2020 for best overall production in Major League Baseball.
For fans who missed it, or who just want to see it again, the Lewis documentary is available on the Mariners¡¯ YouTube channel.
Taxi squad so far
Traveling with Seattle for their first road trip as part of the five-man taxi squad include right-handers Robert Dugger and Erik Swanson, catcher Jos¨¦ Godoy, outfielder Luis Liberato and infielder Donovan Walton. All are currently assigned to the alternate training site.
As part of the 2021 rules package, clubs may carry up to five players on all road trips in order to have immediate reinforcements in the event of injuries or COVID-related issues.